Abigail Goddard, a student at the Blair Academy for Music at Vanderbilt University and a Myra Jackson Blair (MJB) Scholar, is using creativity and compassion to make a difference far beyond the concert stage. 
In addition to her piano studies through the Blair program, Goddard is the founder of Spikey, a startup that produces discreet, wearable testing tools to detect date-rape drugs in drinks. The idea for Spikey was born after a family member shared her own experience of drink spiking and assault during her freshman year of college.
“When she told me that story, I did some research to see just how big of an issue drink spiking was and what was being done about it,” Goddard said. “I wasn’t even thinking about business at the time. I just wanted to prevent this from happening to myself and my friends. That’s when I found a need for better drink safety tools.”
Unlike bulky, expensive test kits that draw unwanted attention, Spikey’s customizable keychains conceal chemical test strips that can detect drugs such as GHB and ketamine in seconds. “It’s about providing portable protection for your peace of mind,” she said. “You can feel safe without waving around something that looks like a warning flag. It’s discreet, it’s stylish, and it’s something you’ll never forget at home because it’s so portable.”
To bring her vision to life, Goddard partnered with pharmaceutical developers and began prototyping at the Williamson County Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center, where she experiments with 3D printing and design tools for her products. So far, she has raised more than $48,000 in funding through many international business competitions and is now working toward large-scale manufacturing.
Her achievements have already earned international recognition, including:
- DECA Independent Business Plan – 1st place internationally
- Diamond Challenge – 1st place internationally
- Uncharted Learning Pitch – 1st place internationally
- LaunchX AwardX – 1st place internationally, top 0.4%
- Entrepreneurship & Innovation Center Final Pitch – 1st place
- Emerging Innovators Award – International Top 5 Finalist
- 3686 LaunchTN Pitch Audience Choice Award
- Blue Ocean Entrepreneurship Competition – Top 3.5% internationally
- DECA @ The Bell Challenge – 2nd place nationally
- Bank of America Student Leader – Selected from top 2.6% of 12,000 applicants
Music, she says, has been the foundation of her confidence and creativity. A pianist for 13 years, Goddard first began lessons at age four and later joined the Blair School of Music, where she studies with piano professor Amy Dorfman.
“Music taught me to deal with stage fright, to perform under pressure, and to think critically from an audience perspective,” Goddard said. “That’s the same mindset I use when pitching Spikey—understanding what people need to hear and feel.”
Her Blair training has also helped her refine her storytelling. Whether interpreting Chopin or crafting a business pitch, she draws a similar sense of structure, pacing, and emotion. “Practicing piano taught me discipline and patience,” she said. “When I hit a wall in business, I approach it the same way I approach a difficult passage in music—slow it down, repeat it, and keep going until it clicks.”
Dorfman praised Goddard’s blend of artistry and initiative. “Abigail brings the same discipline and inquisitiveness she shows at the piano to everything she does,” she said. “She’s a remarkable example of how Blair students apply their talents in innovative ways.”
Now, Goddard’s vision for Spikey is expanding. “One day, I’d love a Spikey to be handed to every student at major universities and for them to be available in bar bathrooms and music festival vending machines,” she said. “It’s not just a product—it’s peace of mind.”